Carnival is open at new locations
Aug. 4—The Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival's carnival is open at a new downtown location — actually three.
The Skerbeck Family Carnival began setting up almost immediately upon arrival this week.
"We pulled in late last night (Sunday) and started putting some rides over in the parking lot by The Pump House, then we filled up Chinook Park, and then this parking lot," said Bob Skerbeck, the carnival's bookings and operations manager. "Around 7 a.m. (Monday) we started parking trailers."
A typical setup for a carnival can take anywhere between eight and 12 hours, Skerbeck said. However, he said the Coast Guard Festival provides a unique challenge for the workers.
"It is a little unique because it is a destination tourist city," he said. "So, we will work in shifts, say 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., then we will take a ... five-hour break to let the traffic die down. Then we will come out 7 or 8 at night to finish up."
This year's carnival is a little bit different than the year's past. It has long been held on the first three blocks of Washington Avenue, which would be closed to thru-traffic.
Due to some safety concerns, the carnival rides have been moved, and now are split between three downtown parking lots near Chinook Pier. The layout, according to Skerbeck, has slowed the setup process a little, but his crew is adjusting to it.
"Where maybe it takes an hour to park a trailer, it takes two today (Sunday)," he explained. "But once everything is set up and on location, it goes as usual."
Skerbeck says the Skerbeck Family Carnival takes safety seriously. Every worker is expected to wear a hard hat and wear boots as they work on a ride, he said. And depending on the height of the ride, they may even have to wear a harness.
Each ride has 3-5 people that work to set it up, and each person receives training on the ride as well. Skerbeck said they receive instruction through watching videos, reading manuals and hands-on learning from seasoned supervisors.
All the equipment is inspected daily, Skerbeck said, and several people on staff are certified as inspectors. The equipment also has to receive certification from the state.
"Safety is a huge priority at Skerbeck Family Carnival, but it is a huge priority for our industry as a whole," he said. "That is governed by both the local county you are in, the state of Michigan and the federal government."
The Skerbeck Family Carnival also serves food in addition to rides.
"We have a full complement of traditional carnival food, some other wagons, full Mexican menu, ice cream — pretty much what you would expect at a county fair or a big festival," Skerbeck said. "We also have games — win a teddy bear, that sort of thing."
Skerbeck said this will be the sixth year in a row (with exception to last year's canceled festival) that his family's carnival has provided rides and entertainment to the Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival.
"We love partnering with the city and the Coast Guard committee," he said. "They are wonderful people. It's a beautiful city, and we feel very lucky and appreciative that we are invited to partner with the festival and put on a good event."
The carnival is open today and Thursday from 2-11 p.m. (wristbands are $25; single-ride tickets are also available). On Friday and Saturday, it is open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. On Friday, Wristbands are $20 until 6 p.m. and $25 after 6 p.m. On Saturday, wristbands are $20 until 4 p.m., then "pay as you go" until closing.
